The Mount Wilson Observatory has cancelled the Public Solar Eclipse event on Monday, April 8, due to recent inclement weather and road closures.
Rainstorms and cold temperatures over Easter weekend created 10 inches of new snow at the observatory, and another storm is forecast for this Friday, April 5.
“Public safety cannot be compromised in hazardous weather conditions such as these,” the observatory said in a statement.
Mount Wilson suggests that eclipse fans in the greater Los Angeles community enjoy the partial solar eclipse that are visible — weather permitting — as follows:
- The eclipse will begin at 10:06 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time.
- The eclipse will be at its maximum, with the moon covering 49% of the sun’s area, at 11:12 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time.
- The eclipse will end at 12:21 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.
Safety is the number one priority for outdoor eclipse viewing. Participants must wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing per recognized safety guidelines. Some local stores and Amazon.com still have eclipse glasses as of this writing.
First published in the April 4 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
